REGULAR MEETING
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 23, 2013
Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Kern with a salute to the flag.
Roll call was recorded as follows:
Present: D’Adamo, Dill, McGuigan, Smith, Tapp, Triboletti & Kern
Also Present: Mayor Glasser, Administrator Swain, Atty. Franklin & Clerk Degrassi
Absent: Smith (arrived late)
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Open Public Meetings Act
Pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act, adequate notice of this meeting has been provided. Agenda for this meeting has been provided to two local newspapers and posted in the City Clerk’s Office
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The following resolutions were moved forward on the agenda.
Public Portion on Resolutions No. 123 & 124.
Meeting was opened to the public and duly closed. (Councilman Smith arrived)
Resolution No. 123
M/S – Triboletti/Tapp
Councilman Dill recused himself from participating or voting. Resolution was amended so that the next to the last paragraph reads “It is FURTHER RESOVED, that upon successful completion of the Gloucester County Police Academy, Patrolman Christopher Haskins will be sworn in by the Mayor and will begin active service to this Community on August 1, 2013 with his salary being the Starting Salary Step ($34,853) under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement for Officers hired on or after July 1, 2012; and”. Resolution No. 123 was then adopted, as amended, by a 6-0 vote of those present.
No. 123 of 2013 (Corrected Copy)(As Amended)
A Resolution Confirming the Hiring by the Chief of Police of the City of Somers Point of One Police Officer, to provide for enrollment in the Gloucester County Police Academy, and to Appoint Same to the Position of Patrolman Within the Somers Point Police Department
Introduced By: Council President Kern
WHEREAS, the City of Somers Point is desirous of hiring one police officer to replace an existing vacancy and to restore the complement of patrol officers; and
WHEREAS, Christopher Haskins has served in the City of Somers Point Police Department as a Class II Officer since 2009; and
WHEREAS, the Chief of Police and the Mayor have recommended that Class II Officer Haskins be enrolled in the Gloucester County Police Academy to undergo the complete training program and, upon successful completion of the program be appointed to serve as a Patrolman; and
WHEREAS, the salary and benefits to be paid to the selected officer will be in compliance with the Somers Point Salary Ordinance and the terms and conditions of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement; and
WHEREAS, sufficient funds are available within the Budget of the City of Somers Point to satisfy this financial obligation
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Resolution No. 123 (Continued)
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS Hereby RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Council acknowledge, authorize and confirm the hiring of Patrolman Christopher Haskins; and
It is FURTHER RESOLVED, that Patrolman Christopher Haskins is approved for and authorized to attend the Gloucester County Police Academy; and
It is FURTHER RESOVED, that upon successful completion of the Gloucester County Police Academy, Patrolman Christopher Haskins will be sworn in by the Mayor and will begin active service to this Community on August 1, 2013 with his salary being the Starting Salary Step ($34,853) under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement for Officers hired on or after July 1, 2012; and
It is FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Council hereby extend their congratulations to the officer upon becoming a member of our excellent Police Force.
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Resolution No. 124
M/S – Triboletti/Tapp
Councilman Dill recused himself from participating or voting. Resolution was amended so that the next to the last paragraph reads “It is FURTHER RESOLVED, that the salary for the position shall conform to the Somers Point Salary Ordinance and the terms and conditions of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement and his starting salary will be “after completion of third year” Step ($48,781) under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement for Officers hired on or after July 1, 2012; and”. Resolution No. 124 was then adopted, as amended, by a 6-0 vote of those present, with Councilman Dill recusing himself from voting or participating. Chief Boyd thanked the Mayor and Council for their continued support of the Police Department, as well as the City Administrator, City Attorney and City Clerk. He read Officer Burn’s biography stating that he will be a welcome addition to the Police Department. Officer Burns was then called forward to be sworn in by Mayor Glasser and received a round of applause from the audience.
RESOLUTION
No. 124 of 2013 (Corrected Copy)(As Amended)
A Resolution Authorizing the Chief of Police of the City of Somers Point to Hire One Police Officer from the Rice List Maintained by the State of New Jersey and to Appoint Same to the Position of Patrolman Within the Somers Point Police Department; and Authorizing the Mayor of the City of Somers Point to Swear in Said Patrolman as Soon as Practicable Following Acceptance of his Appointment
Introduced by: Council President Kern
WHEREAS, the City of Somers Point is desirous of hiring one police officer to replace an existing vacancy and to restore the complement of patrol officers; and
WHEREAS, the hiring of an additional officer will have no impact upon the employment or status of any current police officer within the Department; and
WHEREAS, New Jersey Law authorizes a municipality to appoint a police officer who has been laid off subject to the following conditions:
1. The officer served in good standing in any state, county, or municipal law enforcement department or agency;
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Resolution No. 124 (Continued)
2. Completed working a test period (or the equivalent of a non civil service municipality);
3. Was not a Special or Seasonal Officer; and
4. Was laid off for reasons of economy within the preceding sixty (60) months; and
WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey compiles and maintains a list of such officers known as the Rice List which, by law, a municipality may utilize over eligibility lists and appointment lists that are currently in existence and where the municipality has no active special re appointment list; and
WHEREAS, seniority is not carried over to the new position and any officer so hired is not required to be re certified, undergo a training at the New Jersey State Police Academy or undergo a working test period; and
WHEREAS, the Chief of Police of the City of Somers Point has contacted Civil Service to obtain the most current Rice List; and
WHEREAS, the status of individual officers appearing on the Rice list is in a constant state of flux; and
WHEREAS, proceeding to fill the vacancy from the Rice List will result in an economic saving to the City of Somers Point and its citizens by eliminating the need for a course of training at the New Jersey State Police Academy, will allow the patrol officer to be promptly assigned to duty on the streets of Somers Point commencing June 1, 2013, and will enhance the public safety of this City, its residents and its visitors; and
WHEREAS, the salary and benefits to be paid to the selected officer will be in compliance with the Somers Point Salary Ordinance and the terms and conditions of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement; and
WHEREAS, sufficient funds are available within the Budget of the City of Somers Point to satisfy this financial obligation
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED that the selection from the Rice List of one (1) police officer by the Chief of Police of the City of Somers Point is hereby approved; and
It is FURTHER RESOLVED that Peter R. Burns is hereby appointed to the position of Patrolman within the Somers Point Police Department and is to be duly sworn into office; and
It is FURTHER RESOLVED, that the salary for the position shall conform to the Somers Point Salary Ordinance and the terms and conditions of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement and his starting salary will be “after completion of third year” Step ($48,781) under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement for Officers hired on or after July 1, 2012; and
It is FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor of the City of Somers Point shall proceed to swear into office Peter R. Burns as Patrolman as soon as practicable following this appointment to the position.
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Communications
Proclamation
The City Clerk read the following proclamation in full.
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Proclamation (Continued)
No. 6 of 2013
WHEREAS, Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells which, if not controlled, can result in death; and
WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society is a voluntary community based Health Organization dedicated to eliminating Cancer as a major health problem; and
WHEREAS, the Relay For Life is a “Celebration of Life” benefiting the American Cancer Society where over 4 million people in over 20 countries take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer; and
WHEREAS, the Relay For Life of Somers Point will take place on June 14-15, 2013, at Mainland Regional High School in the City of Linwood; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that I, John L. Glasser, Jr., Mayor of the City of Somers Point do hereby proclaim the month of June as “RELAY FOR LIFE MONTH” throughout Somers Point, and urge citizens to recognize and participate in the Relay event held in their community.
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Linda Keyser from Green Thumb Garden Club
Linda Keyser advised everyone that this year’s Garden Contest is in the making, noting the various categories, including an herb garden. She advised that the deadline to apply is June 14th.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor Glasser noted that the Memorial Day Parade will be on Monday at 11:00 am, starting at the Dawes Avenue School and the ceremony at the Veterans Park. He also noted that the County will hold a ceremony tomorrow at the Veterans Cemetery at 2:00 pm in Estell Manor, adding that they will be honoring former County Executive, Richard Squires. He also read two letters from the Department of Transportation which he is not happy about, 1) Regarding Laurel Drive advising that they are not approving the weight limits as we had requested and 2) that they are not funding our grant application for the Year 2013 Bikeway Grant. He also advised that he really feels that Somers Mansion needs to be worked on and has reached out to the Department of Environmental Protection. He also invited all to attend the Police hosted program with representatives from the Safe Route to School Program on Wednesday, May 29th at 10:00 am.
Administrator’s Report
There was no report given.
Committee Reports
Councilman Dill gave the Public Works and Recreation reports stating that the paving of Edgewood Drive is completed, as well as the beach pier and the park bluff. He stated that on the agenda tonight are the purchase of two dump trucks, and the paving contract bids are out and should be awarded at the June meeting.
Councilman Triboletti advised that the Planning Board met last night and approved the ordinance that we sent to them regarding the height restrictions.
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Minutes
There were no minutes presented for approval.
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ORDINANCES
The Clerk noted that Ordinance No. 8 should be on the agenda tonight for final reading and that it had been advertised for public hearing tonight. Council moved unanimously to add this ordinance to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
Ordinance No. 8
M/S – Triboletti/Dill
Meeting was opened to the public and duly closed. Councilman Triboletti explained that this gives relief to a lot of the residents. Atty. Franklin advised that since the Planning Board met last night and gave their approval, we can move forward with this ordinance. Ordinance No. 8 was then adopted on final reading by a unanimous vote of those present.
ORDINANCE No. 8 of 2013
AN ORDINANCE SUPPLEMENTING AND AMENDING PORTIONS OF CHAPTER 114 "DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS" ARTICLE III, SECTION 114-9 “TERMS DEFINED” OF THE CITY OF SOMERS POINT TO
ADD DEFINITIONS AND ELEVATION STANDARDS REQUIRED AS A RESULT OF RECENT FEMA
REGULATIONS AND ADOPTION OF REVISED FEMA MAPS
BY THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION
FIRST READING: April 25, 2013
PUBLICATION: May 1, 2013
FINAL PASSAGE: May 23, 2013
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Ordinance No. 10 – Final Reading (Note: This ordinance actually scheduled for 6/13/13 mtg. and will appear on that meeting agenda – adopted at this meeting in error)
M/S – Dill/Triboletti
Meeting opened to the public and duly closed. Ordinance No. 10 was then adopted by a unanimous vote of those present.
ORDINANCE No. 10 of 2013
AN ORDINANCE VACATING A PORTION OF ADAMS STREET
IN THE CITY OF SOMERS POINT, COUNTY OF ATLANTIC,
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
FIRST READING: May 9, 2013
PUBLICATION: May 15, 2013
FINAL PASSAGE: June 13, 2013
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Ordinances (Continued)
Ordinance No. 11 – First Reading
M/S – Dill/Triboletti
Approved on first reading by a unanimous vote of those present.